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On Thursday, May 22, 2008, by a vote of 75-22, the Senate approved an expanded version of the GI bill. Proposed by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., it's the biggest expansion of the bill in the past quarter-century, according to the New York Times. But it has also been opposed by, among others, President Bush and Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
Please McCain supporters, explain to me how this man can be the person you choose to vote for? He was a POW and he does not empathize and sympathize with the soldiers that were fighting in an illegal occupation? An illegal occupation that this country was lied into?
To add insult to injury, he would choose to leave the destiny of this nation, if he were to expire, in the hands of a person like Palin. Which come to think of it, a person that would be just another puppet for Cheney anyway. McCain is a traitor!
Last edited by sickofnyc; 09-22-2008 at 12:08 PM..
On Thursday, May 22, 2008, by a vote of 75-22, the Senate approved an expanded version of the GI bill. Proposed by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., it's the biggest expansion of the bill in the past quarter-century, according to the New York Times. But it has also been opposed by, among others, President Bush and Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
What was in the final bill? Was it stand-alone legislation? Post a link, or summary of the final legislation. Until then, we can't really form an opinion, can we? Maybe it included a provision or rider that was so counter to the intent of the legislation that it forced a vote of "no". This happens quite often. Give us more detail.
What was in the final bill? Was it stand-alone legislation? Post a link, or summary of the final legislation. Until then, we can't really form an opinion, can we? Maybe it included a provision or rider that was so counter to the intent of the legislation that it forced a vote of "no". This happens quite often. Give us more detail.
Funny how all of that is never mentioned when we hear about how Obama voted against a bill or voted "present" (as every senator does- so don't bother going there)- does that excuse only apply to republicans???
Funny how all of that is never mentioned when we hear about how Obama voted against a bill or voted "present" (as every senator does- so don't bother going there)- does that excuse only apply to republicans???
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
WASHINGTON — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., introduced legislation on Tuesday to increase funding for housing and rental assistance programs for homeless veterans, including down-and-out service members returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The introduction of the Homes for Heroes Act follows visits to a veterans' home and a Veterans of Foreign Wars rally last weekend in Iowa during Obama's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. An estimated 200,000 homeless veterans of American wars sleep on the street on any given night, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials told the Post-Dispatch that some 300 veterans of the wars in Iraq in Afghanistan have filtered through their homeless assistance system but acknowledge that the number could be much higher.
The Post-Dispatch featured the struggle of homeless veterans in an article on Monday. Obama has sought to balance his opposition to the Iraq war with a legislative message of support to returning troops. He also is co-sponsoring two other bills aimed at assisting veterans seeking treatment for mental health issues and navigating the veterans' medical care system.
"As we work to end the war in Iraq, we must also prepare to deal with the generation of service members returning home from war," Obama said in a statement. The housing legislation would:
Establish a $225 million program to buy, build or rehabilitate housing for low-income veterans.
Expand rental assistance programs nearly tenfold.
Create a position for a homeless veterans coordinator with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Obama introduced similar legislation in 2005. The bill was referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs but never reached the Senate floor.
I think this speaks volumes about Obama's respect for the veterans as opposed to McCain's indifference.
What was in the final bill? Was it stand-alone legislation? Post a link, or summary of the final legislation. Until then, we can't really form an opinion, can we? Maybe it included a provision or rider that was so counter to the intent of the legislation that it forced a vote of "no". This happens quite often. Give us more detail.
This is your candidate. Why don't YOU go find out why YOUR candidate didn't vote for the G.I. Bill.
He opposed it because he said 3 years wasn't long enough and they should look at the military as a career. Once again Hog wash. The current program wasn't working and states were having to foot the bill for vets to go to school, it was time for something to be done on a federal level for the states that couldn't afford it.
Or, it could be because he had a smarter approach to the benefits increase:
"Senators Graham, Burr and I have offered legislation that would provide veterans with a substantial increase in educational benefits. The bill we have sponsored would increase monthly education benefits to $1500; eliminate the $1200 enrollment fee; and offer a $1000 annually for books and supplies. Importantly, we would allow veterans to transfer those benefits to their spouses or dependent children or use a part of them to pay down existing student loans. We also increase benefits to the Guard and Reserve, and even more generously to those who serve in the Selected Reserve.
"The most important difference between our two approaches is that Senator Webb offers veterans who served one enlistment the same benefits as those offered veterans who have re-enlisted several times. Our bill has a sliding scale that offers generous benefits to all veterans, but increases those benefits according to the veteran's length of service. I think it is important to do that because, otherwise, we will encourage more people to leave the military after they have completed one enlistment. At a time when the United States military is fighting in two wars, and as we finally are beginning the long overdue and very urgent necessity of increasing the size of the Army and Marine Corps, one study estimates that Senator Webb's bill will reduce retention rates by 16%.
"Most worrying to me, is that by hurting retention we will reduce the numbers of men and women who we train to become the backbone of all the services, the noncommissioned officer.
This is your candidate. Why don't YOU go find out why YOUR candidate didn't vote for the G.I. Bill.
Absolutely right! These people do not research. They would rather vote against their own best interest and vote party instead of voting policies.
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